The Burger Court Opinion Writing Database Dixson v. United States 465 U.S. 482 (1984) Paul J. Wahlbeck, George Washington University James F. Spriggs, II, Washington University in St. Louis Forrest Maltzman, George Washington University
Awn. (4mixt a tilt Pratt: to Atifitingtan, P. (4. zupig THE CHIEF JUSTICE February 1, 1984SUF, JUS, Re: (82-5279 - Dixson v. United States (82-5331 - Hinton v. United States '84 JAN 33 NO :7 Dear Thurgood: I join. Justice Marshall Copies to the Conference
Anprente (Court of ti tpita tee% Illaokrittotan, JUSTICE WM. J. BRENNAN, JR. October 17, 1983 No. 82-5279 Dixon v. United States No. 82-5331 Hinton v. United States Dear Bill, John and Sandra, We four are in dissent in the above. Would you mind taking on the dissent, Sandra? Sincerely, Justice Rehnquist Justice Stevens Justice O'Connor
$1tprente Glotti of iiit 'Anita State% lonoltittoton. P. 4. 2r1P4A JUSTICE WM. J. BRENNAN, JR. February 13, 198 4 -,- SUPWL1-,.. JUSTL: '84 FEB 13 P2 :43 Nos. 82-5279 & 82-5331 Dixon v. United States, etc. Dear Sandra, Please join me in your dissent in the above. Sincerely, Justice O'Connor Copies to the Conference
Anprant Ourt tionitlit Stab% AuffrinOtalt, Qi. 2IV4g JUSTICE BYRON R. WHITE JUSTH January 17, 1984 '84 JAN 17 R1 :2 Re: 82-5279 and 82-5331 - Dixson v. United States Hinton v. United States Dear Thurgood, Please join me. Sincerely, Justice Marshall Copies to the Conference cpm
To: The Chief Justice Justice Brennan Justice White Justice Blackmun Justice Powell Justice Rehnquist Justice Stevens Justice O'Connor RECElv7 SUPP.7m::- From: Justice Marshall JAN 13 1984 Circulated. 7t o '84 JAM 13 P 1, 3 Recirculated. 1st DRAFT SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Nos. 82-5279 AND 82-5331 el) Cr 82-5279 ARTHUR DIXSON, PETITIONER v. UNITED STATES. 82-5331 JAMES LEE HINTON, PETITIONER v. UNITED STATES ON WRITS OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT [January, 1984] JUSTICE MARSHALL delivered the opinion of the Court. These consolidated cases present the question whether officers of a private, nonprofit corporation administering and expending federal community development block grants are "public officials" for purposes of the federal bribery statute. 18 U. S. C. 21(a). "cr A In 1979, the City of Peoria received two federal block grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The first was a $4, Community Development Block Grant; the second a $636, Metro Reallocation Grant. Both grants were funded through the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, 88 Stat. 633, as amended, 42 U. S. C. 531-532 (1976 ed. and Supp. V). Under that Act, the Secretary of HUD is authorized to dispense federal block grants to state and local governments and nonprofit community organizations for urban renewal programs such as the rehabilitation of residential structures, code enforcement in deteriorating areas, and the construction of public works projects.
ITYLISTIC CHANGES 7 2 ) / HOUL 2nd DRAFT From: Justice Marshal! Circulated- Recirculated. SUPREME COURT OF TIE UNITED STATES Nos. 82-5279 AND 82-5331 ARTHUR DIXSON, PETITIONER 82-5279 v. UNITED STATES JAMES LEE HINTON, PETITIONER 82-5331 v. UNITED STATES ON WRITS OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT [February, 1984] To: The Chief Justice Justice Brennan Justice White Justice Blackmun Justice Powell Justice Rehnquist Justice Stevens Justice O'Connor JUSTICE MARSHALL delivered the opinion of the Court. These consolidated cases present the question whether officers of a private, nonprofit corporation administering and expending federal community development block grants are "public officials" for purposes of the federal bribery statute. 18 U. S. C. 21(a). eus 1 6 1984 epi? et A. 1.11, ed wo et). s' mo, "e CD In 1979, the City of Peoria received two federal block grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The first was a $4, Community Development Block Grant; the second a $636, Metro Reallocation Grant. Both grants were funded through the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, 88 Stat. 633, as amended, 42 U. S. C. 531-532 (1976 ed. and Supp. V). Under that Act, the Secretary of HUD is authorized to dispense federal block grants to state and local governments and nonprofit community organizations for urban renewal programs such as the rehabilitation of residential structures, code enforcement in deteriorating areas, and the construction of public works projects.
2414creme Clatirt of UK Atiter 'fates lottokington, In. Q. 2.ag4g JUSTICE HARRY A. BLACKMUN January 2, 1984 Re: No. 82-5279 - Dixson v. United States No. 82-5331 - Hinton v. United States Dear Thurgood: Please join me. Sincerely, Justice Marshall cc: The Conference
fiktprentt (Court of thy Aritett Atatto litztoitinotom P. QT. 2cfpv JUSTICE LEWIS F POWELL, JR. WS January 17, 1984 184 JAN 17 A1 :2 82-5279 Dixson v. United States Dear Thurgood: Please join me. Sincerely, Justice Marshall lfp/ss cc: The Confernce
Atprtutt Qluurt of till Prittb Matto *tic kingtalt. P. el. maalig JUSTICE WILLIAM H. REHNQUIST February 13, tinap'',_ Re: Nos. 82-5279 & 82-5331 Dixson v. Uni4edidte p317 Dear Sandra: Please join me in your dissent. Sincerely, Justice O'Connor cc: The Conference
.Aupreme (Putt of titt pcittzt Atutto 74SitoItington, Ai. ar. zopp JUSTICE JOHN PAUL STEVENS January 17, 1984 Re: 82-5279 and 82-5331 - Dixson v. United States; Hinton v. United States Dear Thurgood: Although the Government's brief did not persuade me, your opinion does. Please join me. Respectfully, Justice Marshall Copies to the Conference
Supreme ajorart a *Petit,tutto Q. urptg STICE JOHN PAUL STEVEN February 1, 1984 Re: 82-5279 and 82-5331 - Dixson v. United States; Hinton v. United States Dear Thurgood: co) ba low It is always embarrassing for me to have to admit that I was wrong. It is especially embarrassing to find it necessary to do so twice in the same case. I still think you have written a fine opinion, but after studying the case again I have concluded that Sandra's reading of this opaque statute is the better one. Accordingly, I would be most grateful if you will "unjoin" me. O
.Sityrtutt (liourf of tilt Atittit Abdo Atoltington,p. QI. 2.ag4g JUSTICE SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR October 17, 1983 No. 82-5279 Dixson v. United States No. 82-5331 Hinton v. United States Dear Bill, As you know, at Conference my vote in these cases was tentative. I will be glad to take a look at the majority draft when it is circulated, and if I then think I can constructively articulate an appropriate dissent, I will produce one. If I am not so persuaded, I may have to ask your leave to withdraw. If that is agreeable, I will "tentatively" plan to draft a dissent. Sincerely, Justice Brennan cc: Justice Rehnquist Justice Stevens
A/4nm* quitrt of tilt 'Pratt Abdo Iltutiringtott,p. gogitg JUSTICE SANDRA DAY O'CO NOR January 17, 1984 '84 JAN 18 111 :5 No. 82-5279 Dixson v. United States No. 82-5331 Hinton v. United States Dear Thurgood, You have written a reasonable opinion in this case, but I still believe a good case can and should be made for the opposing view. In due course, I will circulate a dissent. Sincerely, Justice Marshall Copies to the Conference
To: The Chief Justice Justice Brennan Justice White Justice Marshall Justice Blackmun Justice Powell Justice Rehnquist Justice Stevens From: Justice O'Connd Circulated. Recirculated. 1st DRAFT SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Nos. 82-5279 AND 82-5331 ARTHUR DIXSON, PETITIONER 82-5279 v. UNITED STATES JAMES LEE HINTON, PETITIONER 82-5331 v. UNITED STATES ON WRITS OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT [February, 1984] JUSTICE O'CONNOR, dissenting. The rule of lenity demands that "ambiguity concerning the ambit of criminal statutes should be resolved in favor of lenity." Rewis v. United States, 41 U. S. 88, 821 (1971). The Court concludes that congressional intent to include persons like petitioners within the coverage of 18 U. S. C. 21 is clear enough to make the rule of lenity inapplicable. The statutory language admits of the Court's reading, and the case for that reading would be strong, though perhaps not persuasive, if 21 were a civil statute. I differ with the Court in that I find the evidence of congressional intent too weak to meet the higher standard for resolving facial ambiguity against a defendant when interpreting a criminal statute. In my view, the evidence of intent offered by the Court's opinion cannot carry the weight the Court places on it, and there is good reason to reject the Court's interpretation of the statute. I The language of 21 and of its predecessors, as the Court's opinion points out, is intentionally broad. But that
ut To: The Chief Justice Justice Brennan Justice White Justice Marshall Justice Blackmun Justice Powell Justice Rehnquist Justice Stevens From: Justice O'Connoi Circulate Recirculate 2nd DRAFT SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Nos. 82-5279 AND 82-5331 ARTHUR DIXSON, PETITIONER 82-5279 v. UNITED STATES JAMES LEE HINTON, PETITIONER 82-5331 v. UNITED STATES ON WRITS OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT [February, 1984] A (CT co:. 77* t F. 5.1 A cro JUSTICE O'CONNOR, with whom JUSTICE BRENNAN, JUS- TICE REHNQUIST, and JUSTICE STEVENS join, dissenting. The rule of lenity demands that "ambiguity concerning the ambit of criminal statutes should be resolved in favor of lenity." Rewis v. United States, 41 U. S. 88, 821 (1971). The Court concludes that congressional intent to include persons like petitioners within the coverage of 18 U. S. C. 21 is clear enough to make the rule of lenity inapplicable. The statutory language admits of the Court's reading, and the case for that reading would be strong, though perhaps not persuasive, if 21 were a civil statute. I differ with the Court in that I find the evidence of congressional intent too weak to meet the higher standard for resolving facial ambiguity against a defendant when interpreting a criminal statute. In my view, the evidence of intent offered by the Court's opinion cannot carry the weight the Court places on it, and there is good reason to reject the Court's interpretation of the statute.